The unique benefits of magnesium with Morley Robbins

In this episode of the Fundamental Health Podcast, Dr. Paul Saladino interviews Morley Robbins, creator and founder of The Root Cause Protocol and the Magnesium Advocacy Group, self-taught mineral expert, and author of [Cu]re Your Fatigue: The Root Cause and How to Fix It on Your Own. They discuss the following topics:

• Morley Robbins, a former hospital consultant, emphasizes the crucial role of magnesium in human health based on personal his experience. Magnesium helps minimize oxidative stress and is essential for thousands of vital body enzymes, with deficiency disrupting various functions. Copper plays a key role in regulating iron and managing oxidative stress, and its deficiency can lead to magnesium loss.
• Environmental factors like glyphosate, high fructose diets, and antibiotics decrease copper levels, impacting health. Copper deficiency affects hormone function and may play a role in insulin resistance, requiring more insulin for glucose clearance. Glyphosate in farming depletes copper in soil, affecting plants and animal products. High fructose intake can increase uric acid, potentially causing mitochondrial dysfunction.
• Quality animal products, especially liver, are important for obtaining bioavailable copper. Sensitive tests for bioavailable copper exist, although they are not FDA approved. Genetic evidence links low copper to increased ferritin expression for iron storage. Iron filings in food in the 1940s led to increased iron intake, but the accumulation of iron, not copper, is linked to rising oxidative stress (Iron Heart hypothesis).
• The Root Cause Protocol aims to reduce iron levels, raise copper levels, and manage oxidative stress for better health. Optimizing red blood cell magnesium levels can be achieved by addressing iron regulation and introducing bioavailable copper. Transdermal magnesium absorption is possible through options like magnesium oil or Epsom salt baths. Magnesium glycinate and gluconate are well-absorbed supplement options. Red meat is a significant dietary source of magnesium.
• Elevated ferritin levels may indicate organ function issues, not just iron status. Copper enables efficient iron recycling by allowing iron to leave red blood cell macrophages. Anemia may not solely stem from iron deficiency, and evaluating copper status is crucial. Two main types of anemia exist: iron deficiency anemia and chronic disease anemia. A 2004 study suggests that tissue iron levels can be much higher than seen in blood tests, indicating a potential discrepancy.
• Retinol (bioavailable vitamin A) activates copper pumps, influencing iron regulation independently. Beta carotene in plants requires conversion to retinol (animal-sourced vitamin A) for effective use. Historical diets provided more copper (4-6mg daily) compared to modern diets. Individuals may need more copper than recommended due to prevalent iron exposure. Balancing copper and iron metabolism is essential for managing oxidative stress. Blood metrics like MCV, MCH, MCHC, and RDW can indicate copper deficiency, a focus of Dr. Max Wichtl. Rediscovering buried research can provide valuable medical insights.